Eruption dynamics leading to a volcanic thunderstorm—The January 2020 eruption of Taal volcano, Philippines

Abstract Advances in global lightning detection have provided novel ways to characterize explosive volcanism. However, researchers are still at the early stages of understanding how volcanic plumes become electrified on different spatial and temporal scales. We deconstructed phreatomagmatic eruption Taal volcano (Philippines) 12 January 2020 investigate origin its powerful thunderstorm. Satellite analysis indicated that water-rich plume rose >10 km high before creating detected by Vaisala's data set (GLD360). Flash rates increased with heights cloud expansion over time, producing >70 flashes min–1. Photographs revealed a highly region base umbrella cloud, where we infer strong convective updrafts icy collisions enhanced electrical activity. These findings inform conceptual model overlapping regimes charge generation wet eruptions—initially due ash particle near vent, followed thunderstorm-like electrification regions upper plume. Despite wide reach Taal's most occurred within 20–30 volcano, thousands hazardous cloud-to-ground densely populated area. The demonstrates can pose hazard own right, embedded broader hazards volcanism an urban setting.